December 3rd, 2008
Pattern and More Pattern and…
We have a looooong hallway that connects the two businesses, Royal Design Studio and Modello Designs in our new building. Well, actually it is NOT THAT new. We’ve been here a year already. It just SEEMS new because there are still quite a few unfinished areas. My primary decorating goals for the spaces here are 1) to experiment and introduce new ideas for painting and applying pattern, and 2) to showcase as many different of our patterns as possible without driving everyone crazy! So far, I think it’s working. One trick to using a lot of different patterns together is to stick to a very limited color palette. I DO love incorporating black-and combining it with off white creates a nice, clean graphic look. When I originally designed the hallway space, I had the contractor install drywall beams so that I could feature multiple patterns in the separate spaces.

I decided to use some of our new labyrinth designs in every other space. I love the graphic quality of these designs and the way they just draw you in to them. The Modello patterns were painted in a soft black over an off white background. Then, to tie the colors together and soften the look they were treated to a toning glaze of soft brown.


I also incorporated some African and Islamic patterns (IndAll 100 and OrnAll 110), which also have a lovely simple graphic quality that looks very clean and modern in this color scheme.


I wanted to keep the ceiling neutral because I have hung a series of canvases that feature some recent decorative finishes that I have created. These were previously featured in posts here, here and here. You may also recognize that gorgeous camel bone weave pattern from the ceiling we did on our last trip to Peacock Pavilions with Maryam in Marrakech. I just HAD to have a little slice of that here. I will be taking a second group of merry painters back there next month. Next month?!
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Just beautiful Melanie!! I am really loving the black and white you’ve highlighted lately. It’s so fresh and modern! You are truly inspiring as always.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:02 am
Oh Melanie……gasp, gasp…..!!!!! Just INCREDIBLE. Love every bit of it. And it makes me a little weepy to see the inlaid camel bone design in here. It wouldn’t have happened without you!
PS Love the maze in the second design. What do you think?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Wow, it is absolutly stunning! So are you going to come to Norway so I can learn how to do this???